A17698:3490
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Forsooth the Apostles used oil when they healed the sick. Yea, but that gift served but for the beginning of the gospel, & now after that we know that miracles are seized, will we use the signs still? Is not y• a mocking of God? By like then, the truth & substance of things must depart & the sign must remain▪ it were a goodly matter. Again, they have retained other like things, as is lent. This is the fast that is to be kept, say the Papists. The reason forsooth is, because Jesus Christ fasted. Yea, but did he which is the fountain of all perfection, and the mirror of all holiness fast every year? No▪ he fasted but once in his life. The Papists say that we must fast every year, and that there is great devotion & holiness therein. Yea, but therein they would exceed Jesus Christ. But in deed it is a devilish superstition, to fast 40. dais after that manner, upon opinion that by this means we may make ourselves like to Christ.1 For we know that our Lord Jesus meant to show thereby, that he was then exempted from all condition of man, as the same was done in Elijah by miracle, & likewise in Moses, when he published the law. And did the Jews follow Moses and Elijah therein? Or did any of so many holy prophets ever fast that fast? No: for they knew well it was not commanded them of God, and that he made no common rule of it, nor would have that thing drawn into example which he had once ordained for the authorising of his law. So then we see that it is very profitable to consider what God hath for one only time commanded, to the intent we pervert not all, nor desire without any difference to do whatsoever is contained in the holy scripture, without knowing first whether it concern us & be spoken unto us or no. This is one point to be noted.
Forsooth the Apostles vsed oyle when they healed ye sicke. Yea, but yt gift serued but for ye begining of the gospell, & now after yt we know yt miracles are seased, will we vse the signes still? Is not y• a mocking of God? By like then, the truth & substance of things must depart & the signe must remaine▪ yt were a goodly matter. Again, they haue retained other like things, as is lent. This is the fast yt is to be kept, say the Papistes. The reason forsooth is, because Iesus Christ fasted. Yea, but did he which is ye fountaine of all perfection, and the mirror of all holines fast euery yere? No he fasted but once in his life. The Papists say yt wee must fast euery yeere, and yt there is great deuotion & holines therin. Yea, but therin they would exceed Iesus Christ. But in deed it is a diuilish superstition, to fast 40. dais after yt maner, vpō opiniō yt by this means we may make ourselues like to Christ.